BBC News, the Guardian and Sky News report that Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called for the release of detained British-Iranian national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe during a meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. The prime minister invited his counterpart to London “where we can discuss things more”. The pair spoke at a UN summit in New York on Tuesday amid heightened tensions between the UK and Iran. Downing Street said Johnson also raised “deep concern about Iran’s destabilising activity in the region”. Their meeting came after Johnson blamed Iran for attacks on two Saudi Arabian oil facilities.

The Independent and Reuters report that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said he is only willing to discuss changes to the JCPOA if the US lifts sanctions on his country. Rouhani told reporters at the UN General Assembly that he would not consider meeting President Donald Trump while the restrictions remained in place. He spoke out shortly before the US president made his speech accusing Iran of “bloodlust”, following the recent drone attacks on Saudi Arabian oil facilities. However, Trump appeared to raise the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough, saying “the United States has never believed in permanent enemies”.

The Guardian and Reuters report that Saudi Arabia has said that US patience with Iran is not inexhaustible and warned that military options are still being considered following the attack on two oil facilities earlier this month. Foreign Affairs Minister Adel al-Jubeir said the UN-commissioned report into the origins of the attack will be available fairly soon, and described the EU’s statement ascribing responsibility to Iran as “very significant”. His remarks suggest Saudi Arabia is still putting pressure on the Trump administration not to limit his response to the 14 September attack to additional sanctions and deployment of troops to defend the oil facilities.

Reuters reports that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday urged Iran to take actions “grounded in the wisdom derived from its rich history”. In a speech to the UN General Assembly, Abe called the 15 September attacks on Saudi oil facilities “an extremely contemptible crime that holds the international economic order hostage”.

The Times reports that President Rivlin is attempting to coax Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz into a power-sharing agreement. According to sources close to Rivlin, he will wait until the last possible date under Israeli law, which is next Wednesday, before making a decision in the hope that the two candidates can reach a power-sharing agreement. Next Wednesday is also scheduled to be the first day of Netanyahu’s pre-trial hearing.

The Guardian reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has proposed an expanded “safe zone” in northern Syria stretching 50 miles as he pressed his case to speed up the resettlement of Syrian refugees living in Turkey. His idea is viewed as controversial with Kurds in northern Syria and seen by them as a Turkish landgrab. He told the UN: “If this safe zone can be declared, we can resettle confidently somewhere between 1 to 2 million refugees. Whether with the US or the coalition forces, Russia and Iran, we can walk shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand so refugees can resettle, saving them from tent camps and container camps.”

Reuters reports that the UK-flagged Stena Impero remains in Iran despite being legally cleared to leave, Stena Bulk said on Tuesday. “Despite public statements by Iranian authorities over the past three days that judicial proceedings have concluded, and the Stena Impero is free to leave Iran, the vessel remains detained at anchor in Bandar Abbas […] “We continue to work hard to secure the release of the crew and vessel”.

Reuters reports that Saudi Arabia is unlikely to list Saudi Aramco this year after attacks on its oil facilities, two sources with direct knowledge of the company said. The initial public offering of Aramco is the pillar of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s economic reform agenda that aims to diversify the kingdom away from oil.

Reuters reports that Saudi Aramco is buying oil originating in neighbouring countries to meet its supply obligations to foreign refineries after the 15 September attacks.

BBC News reports that a Lebanese man detained in Greece on suspicion of hijacking a plane in 1985 has been released after police found they had the wrong person. Mohammed Saleh was detained on Thursday in Mykonos after his identity came up during a passport check as being wanted by Germany. TWA Flight 847 was seized by militants thought to belong to Hezbollah, a claim it denied. Saleh was released late on Monday.

The Independent reports that a US federal court has said the Trump administration broke the law by delaying visa decisions for Afghani and Iraqi citizens who worked with soldiers in conflict zones. Legislation passed in 2013 requires the US to deliver a decision for such applicants within nine months, whether the government grants or rejects a visa. Some of those affected have waited for several years for a resolution, according to NBC News.

Reuters reports that air strikes blamed on the Saudi-led coalition killed at least 16 people in al-Dhalea on Tuesday, two residents and the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV said. The Saudi-led coalition did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi condemned the strikes as “war crimes” and called for a political solution in Yemen.

Reuters reports that Egypt and Qatar, who support rival groups in the Libyan conflict, traded barbs at the UN on Tuesday. Egypt is a supporter of Libyan eastern commander Khalifa Haftar, whose Libya National Army (LNA) has been trying to take Tripoli from forces allied with the internationally recognised government (GNA). Turkey and Qatar both back the GNA.

The Jewish Chronicle reports that Labour Deputy Leader Tom Watson has poured scorn on Jeremy Corbyn’s claim to be dealing with antisemitism in the party: “It’s no good just condemning something – it’s about actually doing something about it.” Speaking out after his speech at conference was cancelled following the earlier Supreme Court judgement, Watson said his party still had “a very long way to go” before restoring “anything near trust with the Jewish community.”

Reuters reports that Saudi Arabia has opened Jeddah airport’s new terminal on Tuesday, part of a push to increase foreign visitors to the kingdom and diversify its economy.

In the Guardian, Amjad Iraqi maintains that outing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not enough for Palestinians: “While politicians attempt to form a new government, the wider issues that really matter to Palestinians are being ignored”.

In the Times, Catherine Philp examines whether President Trump and Europe are meeting in the middle over the Iranian issue: “Since President Trump pulled the United States out of the historic nuclear deal with Iran last year, it has been European powers that have battled to preserve it in the face of mounting economic pressure from Washington”.

In the Financial Times, Laura Pitel examines the rule of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan: “Turkey’s president faces rebellion against his autocratic rule, while grappling with an economic recession”.

Images show base being built for Iranian militias

Israel Hayom reports photos by ImageSat that show ongoing construction at the Imam Ali base in north eastern Syria. According to the paper this is Iran’s flagship project in the region, noting: “Construction is still underway, despite a recent airstrike that destroyed several facilities at the site.” The photos apparently show a long line of military fortifications, access roads and storage facilities for weapons and vehicles.

Israeli Air Force appoints first female squadron commander

The Israeli media reports that Lt. Col. G., a 35 years old mother of two, yesterday became commander of the 122^nd Nachshon Squadron.  She has served for 16 years including a range of command positions in the IAF flight academy and in the 135^th Squadron. Commander of the Air Force, Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin called her “a role model and an object of admiration to thousands of women in the State of Israel.”

Israel came close to major Gaza operation

Maariv reports details of the potential IDF response to rockets fired at Ashdod two weeks ago, that interrupted the Prime Minister’s speech during a campaign rally. One official told the paper that a major military operation was being considered but the Prime Minister ultimately decided not to implement the plan and it was only because of the reservations expressed by military leaders and the Attorney General, Avichai Mandelblit, that the operation wasn’t launched.

Bank of Israel establishes first digital bank

The Bank of Israel is to grant a license to a new digital bank without branches. Channel 13 News reports that the Governor of the Bank of Israel, Prof. Amir Yaron, said: “Changing technology enables the establishment of banks based on new models. The digital bank model has started operating in various countries in recent years, and is now being implemented in Israel.”